Evidence-based design (EBD) and eco-effective design (EED) are very pertinent to healthcare
design today, as both push to achieve increased or improved positive outcomes in human and/or
environmental health. Eco-effective design gives rise to buildings that generate improved
ecological health and indoor environmental quality (McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry
[MBDC], 2008). Evidence-based design gives rise to buildings that generate positive health
outcomes in hospitals through a growing body of best practice strategies that are informed by
research and practical knowledge (Hamilton, 2003). Eco-effective and evidence-based design
are two trends that are significantly impacting healthcare architecture today (Shepley, Baum,
Ginsberg, & Rostenberg, 2009). Although both movements have directly impacted recent
healthcare architecture (Klein, 2007), they are often implemented separately, and some consider
them to be in conflict with one another (e.g. Harvie, 2006; Teske & Mann, 2007). This study
intends to better understand the intersections between these two trends, and how successful
hospitals have and are incorporating and measuring them.